Press release: Now is the time to invest in energy affordability and protect health and safety amidst increasing extreme weather events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Now is the Time to Invest in Energy Affordability and Protect Health and Safety Amidst Increasing Extreme Weather Events
Amidst skyrocketing utility bills and increasingly dangerous extreme weather, Oregon’s budget writers must invest in efficient, affordable energy and community safety
May 14, 2025
SALEM, OR – As Oregonians grapple with out of control utility rate hikes and communities across the state face increasingly frequent extreme weather and worsening wildfires, a coalition of racial justice, community health, climate, and community organizations are reacting to the state’s revenue forecast with renewed calls to fund essential, existing programs which curb energy bill increases and save lives.
The Revenue forecast released today shows that harmful federal tariffs and funding cuts are already wreaking havoc on Oregon’s infrastructure and economy, at the same time Congress is attempting to rip away programs and investments for energy affordability and resilience. With resulting tight state resources, Oregon leaders have difficult choices to make. To protect Oregonians this wildfire season, resilience must be recognized as a core service. We need state lawmakers to invest in Oregon families and do something to stop outrageous utility bill hikes and help us prepare for increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
“Climate resilience programs are a lifeline, not a luxury,” said Joel Iboa, executive director of Oregon Just Transition Alliance. “As the federal government slashes and burns its commitment to our communities, Oregon must protect the climate justice programs that save lives and protect our families from dangerous extreme weather. Our request is simple: maintain the programs that keep us safe, from heat pumps to community renewable energy, from energy efficiency upgrades to community resilience hubs. Disasters don’t wait, and neither can we.”
State budget writers have signaled in their conservative budget framework certain recently adopted programs are on the chopping block– such as the Community Heat Pump Deployment Program, which provides financial assistance to low- and middle-income homeowners towards the purchase and installation of heat pumps. The loss of these programs is a serious threat to the health and safety of Oregonians.
“Oregon families are bracing for another record-breaking summer of heat, smoke, and fires, and we need state leaders to have our backs,” said Cheyenne Holiday, advocacy manager for Verde. “Many families are already making tough choices about their budgets, and these rising costs and weather threats are pushing us to the breaking point. At Verde, we have seen the transformative impacts of installing affordable energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. We have fought against utility rate increases, because climate resilience is how we will save lives and sustain ourselves, no matter what disaster strikes. We must put people first in our solutions. We need to maintain our climate commitments and continue to work toward an Oregon where all of us have healthy homes, clean air, and affordable utility bills.”
Key existing, high-impact state programs that need investment to continue delivering for Oregonians include:
Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE) – Lowers energy costs and protects renters from deadly weather extremes by helping landlords replace inefficient heating and cooling with modern heat pumps. This is especially important for older adults on fixed incomes.
Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE) – Provides grants to community partners and Tribes to install efficient heat pumps for income-qualified households.
Community Renewable Energy Program (ODOE) – Oregon’s only major fund for community-scale projects like microgrids and solar + storage, focused on resilience for Tribes and rural municipalities. Included in the GRB.
Community Resilience Hubs (ODHS) – Builds networks of resilience hubs across the state to support vulnerable populations during disasters.
Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) – Supports climate-smart land management practices for forestland owners, farmers, and ranchers, boosting resilience and rural economies. Included in the GRB.
One Stop Shop 2.0 (ODOE) – Helps Oregonians access financial incentives for electric heat pumps and other home efficiency upgrades. HB 3081 includes important updates and improvements to this critical program.
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Contact: Ally Harris. Oregon Just Transition Alliance.
